Jfc: Java Foundation Classes [Paperback]

Daniel I. Joshi (Author), Pavel A. Vorobiev (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

This is an introduction to the new Java Foundation Classes and Swing components from JavaSoft. The emphasis is on using JFC and Swing to create effective GUIs for a variety of platforms. The book provides code examples, recommendations and extended examples that the professional can use for solving GUI development problems. It also teaches advanced techniques including extending components and adding custom JFC components - third-party or the reader's design - to an application. A glossary defines terms unique to JFC and Swing, and the enclosed CD-ROM includes all codes and examples from the book, the Sun JDK and Java Run Time, plus a JFC-compliant browser and Borland JBuilder.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sun Microsystems' new JFC Swing classes mean that Java applications can now compete with native applications in terms of functionality (if not performance). JFC: Java Foundation Classes gives you everything you need to develop with Swing in a readable and well-presented tutorial and reference.

The authors begin by showing the distinct advantages of Swing over its predecessor, AWT (the Abstract Window Toolkit). Swing raises the bar considerably with a host of new features, such as advanced controls, clipboard support, drag and drop, and accessibility features that rival native operating systems (such as Windows and Unix) for richness and functionality. The authors first look at basic Swing controls, such as buttons, labels, and menus, to get you accustomed to working with Swing. They describe and clearly explain each control type for the reader.

Further chapters explore the nature of Swing events, including Java Developer's Kit (JDK) 1.1/1.2 adapters and listeners. This lays the groundwork for looking at the more daunting Swing components, such as the table and the tree. Though the authors don't pay much attention to Swing's Model View Controller architecture (arguably an important part of understanding these components), they do present a good introduction to using these advanced controls.

The last sections of this book present some excellent advice to make Swing work better for you. These sections teach you how to access the clipboard, print, do database programming with Java Database Connectivity (JDBC), access a network, and even how to combine Swing with JavaBeans. The book closes with a handy reference to all Swing components and APIs, making this a useful reference, as well as a tutorial, for the Java developer who wants to get started using Swing. --Richard Dragan

Product Details

• Paperback: 545 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc (Computers) (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764580418
• ISBN-13: 978-0764580413
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,313,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars It worked for me, September 8, 2000

By 

D.L. Price (Severn, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jfc: Java Foundation Classes (Paperback)

I am new to the OOLanguage world. I have about 5 Java books on my desk. When I try to get an explaination I read until I find one that has examples and speaks plain enough for a novist. Out of all my books this book was the only one that addressed JProgress Bars and it was plain enough for me to apply it to my code.

I also used this book - from all my others to explain interfaces and abstracts.

Good reference book and in plain english for someone coming from the structured language field.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for novices and tinkerers. Engineers require more depth, November 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Jfc: Java Foundation Classes (Paperback)

I was looking for a book that would explain some of the more abstract and undocumented areas of the JFC like using the Action interface. I'm still looking. This book is a little too basic for me. To be fair, I haven't read the chapters on printing and JDBC.

Some of the tips are helpfull but I find that reading the javadoc and the swing connection provides a great deal of more information. However, I'm looking forward to Geary's JFC book when it's released. His Java 1.1 AWT book was the best book about the AWT that I've read.

I'm looking for a book that would explain how to design Java UI's from an architectural perspective rather that the details and placement of widgets. More details about desining and changing the models associated with the delegates would be nice. Maybe I should write it.

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine tutorial, August 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Jfc: Java Foundation Classes (Paperback)

The best way to learn about a new tool (which is what the JFC are) is to watch someone work with it. Though it's not a comprehensive reference, this book does explain how to perform lots of popular JFC tasks.

There are some cool examples involving network resources and displaying raster graphics.

Code is presented in an example-and-commentary format, so you can see what he's doing overall before he explains it piece-by-piece.